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Base bar hack to make descending better
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I'm a really conservative descender and I hate base bars that have no bend at the end of the bar to brace your hands with.
Just got a Parlee TTiR and the base bar has absolutely straight bar ends.
Got some Sugaru putty and formed pods to give something to brace against. Sugaru comes 3 packages per pack; each "pod" required all 3 packages.
In any case, the base bar now feels very secure while descending; huge improvement!

Thought this might be useful to others.

Last edited by: twain: Oct 30, 19 0:44
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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I am not sure Sugar was really designed to take the sweat, temp change and sun light abuse of that usage and I would be terrified that the Sugaru would suddenly give. At a minimum I would use bar tape to add an extra layer of protection to the glue.

I would suggest a better solution would be to get a profiled mountain bike grip: https://ergonbike.com/...2410005&s=gpmtb# . This would give you the desired shape as well as increase grip in a much neater package. The grips come in a variety of shapes, lengths and colours and if you get a lock-on style you can secure it so it will never move.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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Felt makes grips that do pretty much just that:

https://feltbicycles.com/...riant=20721958551670

They made a big difference for my wife with descending. Should fit most bars. Looks like the white is out of stock but black is available.

-Mike

Vertex Fit Systems (http://www.vertexfitsystems.com) | Bikeworks (http://www.bikeworksma.com) | Russo Racing (http://www.r2tri.com)
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [m.medeiros] [ In reply to ]
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I just use bar tape; 2-3 wraps deep at the end and taper down as you move back.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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I also upgraded my base-bar for a race with a tricky/long descent.
My approach was to simply wrap the bar-tape around a couple of times at the end.
This effectively created a round bump that made descending feel much securer, but was also generally super comfortable to rest the balm of my hands on top of when riding on the basebar for prolonged time (in training mostly).

if you can read this
YOU'RE DRAFTING!
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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How many watts is that costing you?
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [scott8888] [ In reply to ]
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I used bar tape over the pods.
Good call on the grips
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [m.medeiros] [ In reply to ]
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m.medeiros wrote:
Felt makes grips that do pretty much just that:

https://feltbicycles.com/...riant=20721958551670

They made a big difference for my wife with descending. Should fit most bars. Looks like the white is out of stock but black is available.

Ah, fantastic! Didn't know they existed. Just ordered a pair.

Thank you!
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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I spot pretty much box-profile wheels on that bike. They appear of less depth than the tire even.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [burnthesheep] [ In reply to ]
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Those are the training wheels; Hed Ardennes.
Vanquish's are en route; can't wait!
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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I find it awesome that you made the pods look like little aero-helmets!

if you can read this
YOU'RE DRAFTING!
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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Good idea. And additionally it helps to wear cycling gloves.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [m.medeiros] [ In reply to ]
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Black out of stock now also...... the ST effect!


m.medeiros wrote:
Felt makes grips that do pretty much just that:

https://feltbicycles.com/...riant=20721958551670

They made a big difference for my wife with descending. Should fit most bars. Looks like the white is out of stock but black is available.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [m.medeiros] [ In reply to ]
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Had to update this post to say thanks again for the rec - these Felt grips are FANTASTIC! No more stinky bar tape after a few rides in the South Florida humidity. These fit perfectly on the AlphaX base bar and pair nicely with Magura levers.


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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [A527G] [ In reply to ]
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Where did you get them? Felt is sold out.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [A527G] [ In reply to ]
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Perfect application! I got some, too, but they wouldn't fit over the SRAM "blips". My shop cut off the longer section but left the "bullhorns" on. It's pretty effective.
I also took out my putty-risers and just used a few strips of bar tape to build up a bit of a slope.
Your implementation looks pretty much ideal.
Awesome!
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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For a little extra grip, I’ve always turned towards athletic tape. It’s kind of tacky and doesn’t hold up to months of sun exposure but it’s cheap and easy to wrap and replace as needed. I’m currently using it with my TT bike in Zwift mode for the winter.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [DFW_Tri] [ In reply to ]
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I think I got the last set.

DFW_Tri wrote:
Where did you get them? Felt is sold out.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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Felt tri bar grips are back in stock
https://feltbicycles.com/...riant=20721958551670
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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Can you send me a pic of this? I have the Felt grips and blip buttons, I'd love to see how this looks for an end product.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [Jsmit4242] [ In reply to ]
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Unfortunately, they don't work with the blip buttons (which I have). We ended up just cutting off most of the grip and using just the bullhorn piece.
Not worth the pic...
Only reposting b/c i think the concept of these grips is great.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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Would this work with my Di2 buttons?
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [krafty81] [ In reply to ]
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I don't think so as you can't stretch the grip around the buttons. Think of it like a tight sleeve.
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [twain] [ In reply to ]
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Could you make a hole?
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Re: Base bar hack to make descending better [krafty81] [ In reply to ]
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Probably would be a pretty big hole. For $20 I guess worth experimenting.
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